Illinois American Water plans to invest approximately $274,000 to upgrade water main and install three fire hydrants in its Pekin District. This investment is expected to enhance water quality, fire protection and water pressure to customers.

Approximately 1,610 feet of two-inch water main installed about 60 years ago will be replaced through the company’s main replacement program. The program focuses on replacing mains where leaks occur, corrosion has caused damage or the size of the water main isn’t sufficient to meet demand.

“The age of the pipes coupled with corrosion and sediment accumulation over the years makes the replacements necessary,” said Dennis Barron, operations supervisor for the Pekin District.

Two-inch water main will be replaced with eight-inch main along Southmoor Street from Koch Street to Herman Street and along South 3rd from Koch Street to South Street. According to Barron, “It can be easy for people to take for granted the infrastructure needed to deliver high-quality tap water because they don’t see it everyday, but much of the water main underground was installed several decades ago and is too small to meet today’s demands.”

Construction, which includes installing three hydrants, will begin this month and will continue through September.

The U.S. EPA reports that the nation’s water utilities will need to make more than $335 billion in infrastructure investments over the next 20 years to ensure public health. These investments include replacing thousands of miles of pipe and upgrades to treatment plants, storage tanks and other assets. Illinois American Water’s investment in water main projects in the Pekin District is just another example of continuous
investments and improvements being made, helping to meet the demands of today’s customers and planning for the future.